The Best Beauty Foods

It’s amazing how you can tell when you haven’t been eating as healthy as you should. Not only do you start to feel sluggish and weighed down, but you can even start to look the way you feel. Your hair loses its shine, your nails and skin get dry and brittle, even the sparkle in your eyes can dim.

Here’s the good news:

Since eating unhealthy foods causes your hair to go limp and your skin to lose its luster, eating healthy foods can reverse this damage. Eating the best beauty foods regularly will even make you look younger through your healthy looking skin, hair and nails.

Let’s take a look the list of the most beneficial foods to incorporate into your diet so you can feel shiny and brand new again.

Best Beauty Foods for Hair

Grass-Fed Beef (or Lentils)– Lean red meat gives your hair follicle the strength it needs with its high content of iron and zinc. Eating two to three servings of lean beef each week will give you fuller stronger hair. If you are a vegetarian, lentils are another good source of these essential minerals.

Salmon – Salmon is very nutritious fish, and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy fats do wonders for the hair, including keeping it hydrated so it looks shiny and smooth. Salmon also contains B vitamins that help promote new hair growth. Not only will you have beautiful hair, but more of it!

Dark Leafy Greens – What are leafy greens not good for? There are so many benefits of eating greens, it’s no surprise that they are good for your hair as well. These greens help the body produce sebumwhich is essential for preventing dry and brittle hair.

Cheese– Cheese is high in zinc and protein and also in B vitamins. However, this one you have to eat in moderation due to the high-fat content. Stick to skim milk mozzarella and low-fat cottage cheese for a choice that is best for your waistline.

Best Beauty Foods for Skin

Green Tea– This beverage has many health benefits. One of them is the ability to deliver nutrients to your skin with antioxidants like polyphenols and EGCG. Green tea helps keep your skin elastic which means it could help you have less wrinkles. So set the pot on to boil, it’s tea time. If you aren’t one for hot drinks, you can always stick it in the fridge and drink it as iced tea. Add a few leaves of mint, and you’ve got yourself a refreshing cool drink for hot summer days.

Dark Chocolate– I know what you are thinking, this seems too good to be true. An important thing to remember is that the darker the chocolate the better, so try to eat one ounce of the most bitterness you can stand and still enjoy it. Dark chocolate contains flavonols that improve circulation for a healthy complexion and hydration of the skin.

Olive Oil– This natural fat source has a high level of monounsaturated fats, the best type of fat to consume. This fat helps to keep your skin young and supple without hurting your heart. Try using olive oil as your cooking oil from now on.

Tomatoes – Can you believe there is a natural way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays? Lycopene, which is antioxidant found in high amounts in tomatoes, does just that. You get the most lycopene from your tomatoes when you eat them cooked, not raw.

Beauty Foods for Nails

Eggs – Eggs are a great source of protein and biotin, two building blocks of strong nails. Eating a boiled egg for your mid-afternoon snack will deliver these great beauty benefits and help you curb the afternoon munchies attack.

Brazil Nuts – Brazil nuts help your body to turn protein into collagen that helps make your nails strong. Selenium in the brazil nuts is the powerful antioxidant that makes this possible. It helps nails grow without cracking or splitting. Brazil nuts also contain zinc and vitamins E and B vitamins.

Wheat Germ – Wheat germ is a fairly under-recognized health food. It holds so much of the nutrients in wheat, such as vitamin E, protein and zinc. It is, in fact, one of the best dietary sources for these nutrients. Sprinkle it on your yogurt, cereal or in your pancake batter. It is also a great addition to your morning smoothie. Eating wheat germ often will help combat brittle nails.

Oatmeal – This is another great breakfast food to help you keep beautiful nails. Oatmeal contains copper, zinc, and the beneficial B vitamins. This is also a great source of protein for vegetarians. Try slicing some berries or bananas on top of your oatmeal for an added boost in nutritional value.

One of the most amazing and important nutrients for beautiful hair, skin, and nails is water. Without enough hydration, your whole
body will lack the ability to regenerate cells. New cells mean fresher skin, stronger nails and shinier hair. Don’t neglect this one! Drink plenty of water, and you will see a difference in all these areas.

Many of these foods are good for so much more than just looking good. Make it a goal to incorporate these superfoods into your daily diet for the rest of your life.